Let's talk about Timothy and Meadow. As small animal owners, it's important to know the education behind choosing the right hay, its benefits and everything in between.
Deciding which hay box subscription for your small pet can be challenging when you’re unsure of which is the best hay for rabbits, guinea pig, hamsters or any other family pet that requires hay. To help you make the right choice for your family fur friend, we have put together this guide to take you through the differences between Timothy Hay and Meadow Hay and their benefits.
Tasty Timothy Hay Box
The favourite within the small pet community, and the reason why is obvious after you've read this guide! HayDay’s Tasty Timothy Hay is UK grown on our farm in Yorkshire and is brilliant to aid any small pets and their hay consumption; whether it's encouraging them to nibble on more hay than they would usually, recovery after surgery or even just for some foraging fun. Our Timothy Hay box also has super quick delivery meaning that your small pet can be nibbling on our hay within a couple of days from your order being placed. All made easier as it’s sweet to taste, cue the extra delicious-ness! Our timothy hay has coarse stems which are the super satisfying crunch that you hear when your small pets are nibbling on hay (who else is guilty for loving it?).
What benefits does timothy hay have for rabbits and other small animals?
Dental Health
The coarse stems in coarse cut Timothy hay help to naturally wear down small pets' continuously growing teeth, promoting good dental health and preventing painful overgrown teeth.
Improved Digestion
The high fibre content in Timothy hay helps to stimulate the digestive system, promoting healthy gut motility and preventing common digestive issues such as gastrointestinal stasis (GI Stasis). Without this key fibre and nutrition, small pets’ digestive systems will not function properly.
Natural Foraging
The crunchy texture of coarse cut Timothy hay provides a satisfying foraging experience for small pets, encouraging them to nibble and chew on hay, which is important for their overall well-being.
Nutritious
Timothy hay is a nutritious food source, providing a good balance of fibre, protein, and other essential vitamins and minerals that are important for the health and well-being of small pets.
Delicious
Timothy hay has a sweet, palatable taste that is loved by most small pets, making it an easy food choice for even the fussiest of nibblers.
Bedding Material
Coarse cut Timothy hay can also be used as bedding material, providing a comfortable and cosy place for small pets to rest and play.
Coarse cut Timothy hay is a versatile and nutritious food source that provides a number of benefits for small pets. HayDay's Tasty Timothy is a high-quality, coarse cut Timothy hay that is perfect for small pets who need a little extra encouragement to nibble on hay.
Moreish Meadow Hay Box
Ridiculously moreish - what else is there to say… Our meadow hay is suitable for rabbits, guinea pigs and any other small pet whose diet requires a sufficient amount of hay.
What benefits does meadow hay have for rabbits and other small animals?
Soft palatable stems
Palatable stems make our meadow hay the perfect choice for fussy nibblers!
100% natural + traditional hay
High fibre
Digestion and gut health is extremely important to monitor in small pets. Without this key fibre and nutrition, small pets’ digestive systems will not function properly.
Dust Extracted
To prevent any irritation to your small pet whether that is to their eyes, skin or preventing any long term respiratory problems - you can rest assured your small pets are in safe hands with our hay!
Bedding Material
It’s no wonder our Meadow hay is popular to use as bedding! The soft stems make it a favourite for rabbit and guinea pig lovers to pop in their small pets’ set up: it’s just like sleeping on a cloud! Or so they say…
Some of our most Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Timothy hay better than Meadow hay?
There is no denying that a timothy hay box is the most popular choice out of the two, but with our HayDay hay, the quality is promised with both of our hay boxes. Long strand Timothy hay is the perfect option for the small pets who love the crunchy and nutritious stems and our soft meadow hay is ridiculously moreish and the soft and palatable stems make it a great option for the fussiest of rabbits, guinea pigs and small pets!
Is meadow hay good for rabbits and small pets?
Meadow hay is a great option for guinea pigs, rabbits and most small pets whose diet requires a palatable forage that can suit even the fussiest of nibblers. Our Moreish Meadow is 100% natural + traditional hay meadow grasses and high fibre to support gut health, digestion and dental function. Even if your small pet doesn’t nibble on much meadow hay, it pairs as an equally comfy bed or as a boredom breaker for them to rummage and play in!
Is Timothy hay better than Meadow hay for guinea pigs?
The main factor when choosing the right hay box for guinea pigs and the majority of small pets, is to look for hay that is fresh and green: of which HayDay provides both! Meadow hay is softer in texture in comparison to our Timothy hay box which makes it still great to nibble on but also as a cosy bed all year round. Our Timothy hay is favoured for being totally delicious from its sweet taste to its coarse and crunchy stems. You don’t need to worry whether your guinea pig will prefer Timothy or Meadow hay from HayDay as both of our easy pack hay boxes are the perfect choice!
At HayDay, we understand that small pets are not just pets, but they're also members of your family. That's why we take our commitment to providing the best possible care for your pet seriously. We believe that the right hay can make a significant impact on the overall health and well-being of your small pet, and we're here to help you choose the perfect hay box subscription to meet your pet's unique needs.
We also offer letterbox-sized taster packs which offers both timothy hay and meadow hay with pop out sections so they are ready to go! Why not try one of these and let your small animal which hay they prefer. Wave goodbye to picky small animals!
